“The decision to close down South Australia today with no reasonable notice will cause huge disruption to the State’s industry,” Stephen Myatt, SA Head of the national employer association Ai Group said today.
“We accept that it applies initially for only six days but the dislocation caused to supply chains, contractual obligations and business confidence will be significant.
“There will always be cases from time to time and we need to manage outbreaks as they occur and deal with them on a localised basis without resorting to border closures or state lockdowns.
“We all need to take health advice seriously, but decisions involving such extreme action as stay at home orders and widespread industry shutdown should be made with a greater understanding of industry ramifications,” Mr Myatt said.
Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, added:
“There is a real danger that the South Australian decision has set the bar that medical advisers in all states and territories may follow – except NSW which has vowed to keep its economy open. This would mean that industry in seven of Australia’s 8 jurisdictions faces the risk of being shut down if there is a small COVID outbreak in that state or territory.
“The message here is a terrible one for business continuity, growth, supply chain management and customer service. The upshot is that because of the uncertainty created, much of Australia has now become a deeply problematic place to employ, work and invest,” Mr Willox said.
